A Vikings Rumor is Now on Life Support

Q: Why is DeAndre Hopkins unlikely to join the Minnesota Vikings?

DeAndre Hopkins is unlikely to join the Vikings because the team has signed Jauan Jennings, solidifying their already strong wide receiver group.

Q: What factors could lead to DeAndre Hopkins being signed by an NFL team?

Factors that could lead to Hopkins being signed include injuries, suspensions, or retirements among current players, creating a need for an experienced receiver.

Q: How has DeAndre Hopkins' special teams play affected his potential signing?

DeAndre Hopkins' limited special teams experience, with only 10 snaps in his career, makes him less attractive for teams looking for versatile players.

Q: What role could DeAndre Hopkins play if he joins the Vikings?

If DeAndre Hopkins joins the Vikings, he could serve as a mentor to younger receivers like Justin Jefferson, leveraging his experience to help them handle double teams.

Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE In full fairness, this particular Vikings rumor made a ton of sense. After all, the player at the center of the purple dot connecting — WR DeAndre Hopkins — publicly expressed a desire to become a Minnesota Viking. At this stage, though, a marriage between Minnesota and the veteran appears quite unlikely. Signing Jauan Jennings means that Minnesota sits atop arguably one of the best receiver groups in the NFL, if not *the* best crew (something they’ll look to prove on the grass, which is all that matters). Where does that leave Mr. Hopkins?

Vikings Rumor Now Far From Becoming Reality

As cruel as it sounds, Mr. Hopkins may need to wait for an injury to get a call. The NFL is a league that’s constantly chasing cheap youth. Hopkins will come cheap, but he no longer has a claim on being youthful (at least within an NFL workplace; being in one’s early 30s means being downright ancient). Recent draftees and undrafted pickups will get a chance to show they belong in the big leagues during the coming months. If/when some of these young lads fail, then there will be a turn for an elder statesman. Or, perhaps, there’s an injury, suspension, or retirement. Think some sort of extenuating circumstances. In these conditions, a team could be in need for an extra receiver.

Sep 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Washington Football Team at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; quarterback (1) with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Part of the problem, though, is that DeAndre Hopkins isn’t going to offer much on specials, if anything at all. In a career that goes back to 2013, Hopkins has played a whopping 10 special teams snaps. The last time he got onto specials was for a single play in 2023. **— READ MORE: —** **— READ MORE: —** Quite possibly, Hopkins could go out there for a hands team assignment for an onside kick, but a gunner he is not. That’s an issue. Sitting in the WR4 or WR5 job generally means needing to contribute somehow other than with catching the ball. Sure, there could still be a target or two within that sort of role, but the league doesn’t often feature games where a fifth option at WR explodes for 10+ touches. DeAndre Hopkins may therefore have to be patient. **— READ MORE: —** **— READ MORE: —** Before the Jennings development, the Vikings could have justified bringing the receiver to town. Doing so would help to ensure doesn’t get forced into a job he’s not ready for. Plus, he has built-in chemistry with Kyler Murray due to their time together as Cardinals. And then his size should allow him to still pull down contested catches for a 1st Down or a touchdown. Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates with fans after a touchdown catch against the during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports Off the field and in the locker room, Mr. Hopkins could reasonably be a mentor for . Basically nobody out there knows what it’s like to operate within the same stratosphere as Jefferson. Hopkins is one of the few who gets it since he has been a superstar. Is there an intangible element where Hopkins can help on the sidelines in the same way a veteran QB2 helps a stud at QB1? Hopkins understands what it’s like to face double teams on a constant basis. He may even have some helpful pointers for how to beat those double teams. Now, that’s not to say that the veteran has soared as high as Jefferson or that Jefferson needs a shepherd to guide him. Still, though, there’s very little downside in boasting a well-respected vet who was an All Pro five times and a Pro Bowler as many times (which is to say nothing of being in the running for Offensive Player of the Year, the award Jefferson has won). As things stand, Jefferson is the second-oldest player in that Vikings receiver room. Jennings is the old fella at 28; Jefferson will turn 27 later this summer. Each got into the NFL in the 2020 NFL Draft. Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Going into the 2026 season, the Vikings will be rallying around a top receiver trio of Justin Jefferson, , and Jauan Jennings. Very few teams boast the necessary talent to run with those three. Next up would appear to be Tai Felton alongside , both of whom boast impressive abilities on special teams but who have yet to break through on offense. Making room for one more receiver isn’t impossible, though it’s no sure thing the team carries six WRs. DeAndre Hopkins will turn 34 in June. Drafted at No. 27 in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hopkins is likely to get into the Hall of Fame.